Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has embarked on an ambitious project to transform the urban mobility infrastructure in the Nigdi-Pradhikaran area by launching the Harit Setu Project.
The Harit Setu Project will be implemented across five major locations within Nigdi-Pradhikaran’s ward number 15, covering areas 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, and 27A.
This initiative, designed to promote eco-friendly and sustainable transportation, will cover an area of five square kilometers and is estimated to cost ₹133 crore. It aims to encourage walking and cycling, reduce traffic congestion, and lower pollution levels.
In the first phase of the project, public parks and green spaces in Nigdi-Pradhikaran will be interconnected via extensive networks of pedestrian walkways and bicycle tracks.
The proposed development includes constructing 20.20 kilometers of concrete roads, flanked by two-meter-wide footpaths, 1.8-meter-wide cycle tracks, and parking lanes. To ensure comfort and safety, the tracks will be lined with shade-providing trees, and some areas will have covered roofing.
B.G. Shirke Construction Technology has been awarded the contract for the project, with the total cost adjusted to ₹133.48 crore after the company submitted a bid 17.1% lower than the initial estimated cost of ₹160.27 crore.
The project is expected to be completed within two years and will be supervised by PaveTech Consulting Engineering Services.
One of the most significant aspects of this initiative is its funding mechanism. The PCMC will raise ₹200 crore by issuing green bonds, marking a forward-thinking approach to financing.
This bond issue will be managed by a private firm, and once the funds are secured, the central government is expected to provide an additional grant of ₹20 crore to support the project.
The project is set to benefit pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport users, offering safer and more convenient commuting options while reducing the community's reliance on motor vehicles.
According to PCMC Chief Engineer Pramod Ombhase, the initiative will make footpaths accessible to people of all age groups, including the differently-abled, while encouraging cycling as a healthier and eco-friendly mode of transport.